The Balsa Mindanao, Ecotenista Movement and Tulong Kabataan organized a tree planting activity that will be held this April 22, 2013 with the tagline “Rainfo now, Help Mindanao.”

The event aims to plant 5000 seedlings in the forests of either Compostella Valley or Davao Oriental. Participants will primarily come from youth organizations but other groups and organizations are welcome to join.

The event was launched in the press conference held last April 5 at the Museo Dabawenyo.

“This activity is for helping the communities in their rehabilitation stage after Pablo hit these places,” 2nd nominee of Kabataan Partylist Bai Ali Indayla said.

She also added that the trees that they prefer to plant are endemic trees like Narras and fruit-bearing trees.

“We already consulted the communities regarding this matter. They said that they prefer fruit-bearing trees so that they can start a livelihood after Pablo affected them. As for the endemic trees, we preferred this as these trees can withstand weather disturbances, “ she said.

Another speaker during the presscon was Regional Coordinator Cristine Bastes of the Student Christian Movement of the Philippines. She said that this activity is for the reforestation of the areas.

“It is a biblical thing. There are many verses in the bible that refers to these but Genesis has the greatest message. It is a creation of God. Aside from that, there are deliberations to regain the forests,” she said.

Mutya ng Dabaw 2013 Fila Guia Hidalgo also expressed support on the said upcoming event.

“This is a part of my advocacy aside from Solid Waste Management. I would like to encourage other members of the Mutya ng Dabaw court and have this event to be in cooperation with the City Tourism Office,” the beauty queen said.

This activity will have participants coming from different regions in Mindanao like General Santos, Zamboanga and Butuan thereby making it “Mindanao-wide.”

The upcoming activity is the “peak” of the series of relief operations and rehabilitation that they already conducted since December for the victims of Pablo.

The event is also in part with the activities for the International Mother Earth Day that will be celebrated on the same date.